Claudia Cholakian
FullnameClaudia Louise Cholakian
Birth date29 July 1996 (age 30)
Birth placeAustralia
PositionMidfielder
CurrentclubActonians
Years 12016–2020
Clubs 1Manly United
Years 22020–2021
Clubs 2Sydney FC
Caps 22
Goals 20
Years 32021–2022
Clubs 3Sydney Olympic
Caps 315
Goals 37
Years 42023
Clubs 4Northern Tigers
Caps 423
Goals 410
Years 52024
Clubs 5Gladesville Ravens
Caps 516
Goals 53
Years 62025–
Clubs 6Actonians
Caps 62
Goals 60
Nationalyears 12022–
Nationalteam 1Armenia
Nationalcaps 111
Nationalgoals 10
Club-update21 August 2024

Claudia Louise Cholakian (Armenian: Կլաուդիա Լուիս Չոլակյան;[1] born 29 July 1996) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for FA Women's National League Division One, South East club Actonians. Born in Australia, she is a member of the Armenia women's national team.[2]

Club career

Youth career

Cholakian played her youth football for NWS Spirit and Northern Tigers, before joining Manly United as a 17-year-old.[3]

Manly United

Cholakian started her career with Australian second-tier side Manly United, making her first grade debut in 2016 as a 19-year-old.[4] In 2017, she spent the year abroad studying at King's College London in England as part of an exchange program with her university,[5] missing the 2017 season as a result. Cholakian returned to play for Manly United for the 2018 season.[6][7] Cholakian won the Coaches' Award for Manly's first grade side in 2018.[8]

Between 2018 and 2020, Cholakian was the only player to feature for Manly in every single game, totalling 58 consecutive appearances for the club.[9][10] Cholakian played in Manly's 2020 Championship winning team, playing the full 90 minutes in the Grand Final victory over Sydney University.[11]

In late 2020, Cholakian was chosen to represent Football NSW in an exhibition 'State of Origin' match against Football Queensland, winning selection due to her strong form in the NPL NSW competition.[12]

Sydney FC

In 2020, Cholakian received her big break in signing for Australian top flight club Sydney FC, competing in the W-League. Cholakian was signed as an injury replacement for Elizabeth Ralston in the lead up to the finals.[13] Cholakian made two appearances for Sydney FC,[14] and was part of their 2020-21 W-League championship.[15]

Sydney Olympic

In 2021, Cholakian signed for Sydney Olympic in the Australian second tier.[16] Cholakian spent two seasons at Sydney Olympic, also making her international debut with Armenia during her time at Olympic.[17][18]

Northern Tigers

For the 2023 season, Cholakian re-joined Northern Tigers,[19] a club in which she had previously played junior football at.[20] Cholakian topped the Tigers' goal scoring charts for the season, finishing the season with 10 in the league, and 12 in all competitions.[21] Cholakian was part of the Tigers' run to the inaugural Sapphire Cup final, scoring a goal and providing an assist in the semi final.[22] Cholakian played in the final, unfortunately falling to a 2–1 defeat to APIA Leichhardt.[23]

Gladesville Ravens

For the 2024 season, Cholakian moved to Gladesville Ravens.[24][25] Cholakian made her first league start for the club against her previous club, Northern Tigers, at Christie Park on 21 April 2024.[26]

Actonians

In August 2025, Cholakian signed for Actonians.[27]

International career

Cholakian represents Armenia at the international level, making her debut in 2022 in a FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier.[28] Cholakian has so far made 11 appearances for the senior national team.[29]

Personal life

Cholakian completed a master's degree in sustainability at the University of Sydney and is currently employed as a sustainability advisor for property developer Frasers Property.[30] Cholakian is the younger sister of Brendan Cholakian, who currently plays for Rockdale Ilinden in the men's National Premier Leagues NSW competition. Brendan also was playing for Manly United when Claudia made her senior debut, and moved to Sydney Olympic in the same year Claudia did.[31]

References

  1. ^ "Կլաուդիա Լուիս Չոլակյան" (in Armenian). Football Federation of Armenia
  2. ^ "Claudia Cholakian relishes Armenian Experience". womens.nplnsw.com.au. 20 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Cholakian keen to scale new heights". manlyunitedfc.com.au. 29 March 2018.
  4. ^ "NSW Women's 1 NPL - Manly v Illawarra". Getty Images. 12 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Cholakian keen to scale new heights". manlyunitedfc.com.au. 29 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Manly's Women Shaping Up For Title Defence". manlyunitedfc.com.au. 3 March 2018.
  7. ^ "National Premier Leagues NSW Women's 2018 Preview". National Premier Leagues NSW. March 2018.
  8. ^ "Claudia Cholakian - First Grade Coaches' Award". Manly United FC. 13 September 2018. – via Facebook
  9. ^ "Claudia Cholakian excited to be back". womens.nplnsw.com.au. 27 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Cholakian raring for grand final redemption". manlyunitedfc.com.au. 7 October 2020.
  11. ^ "NSW NPL Women's 2020 Grand Final Report – Sydney University vs Manly United". beyond90.com.au. 15 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Football NSW Announces Women's Squad for Queensland Clash". myfootball.com.au. 10 December 2020.
  13. ^ "Sydney FC Complete Three Westfield W-League Signings". sydneyfc.com. 19 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Claudia Cholakian". aleaguestats.com.
  15. ^ "Congratulations to Claudia Cholakian, 2021 W-League Premiership Winner with Sydney FC!". FNX Sports. 1 April 2021. – via Instagram
  16. ^ "Claudia Cholakian, Sydney Olympic, 2021". twitter.com.
  17. ^ "Claudia Cholakian relished Armenian experience". National Premier Leagues NSW. 20 April 2022.
  18. ^ "2022 NSW NPL Women's Wrap – Round 3". beyond90.com.au. 27 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Northern Tigers Focus to Go One Better This Season". National Premier Leagues NSW. 2 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Claudia Cholakian BUzzzing at the Tigers". National Premier Leagues NSW. 17 May 2023.
  21. ^ "2023 Highest Goalscorer". Football NSW.
  22. ^ "Tigers Dismantle Ravens to Progress to Sapphire Cup Final". Football NSW. 4 August 2023.
  23. ^ "APIA Leichhardt Crowned Inaugural Sapphire Cup Champions". Football NSW. 10 September 2023.
  24. ^ "Gladesville Ravens welcomes our new players for the 2024 season". Gladesville Ravens. 20 February 2024. – via Instagram
  25. ^ "NPL NSW Women signings tracker: Signings, coups and call-ups for every team". The Daily Telegraph. 14 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Northern Tigers Defeat Ravens in Thriller". National Premier Leagues NSW. 21 April 2024.
  27. ^ "What’s new with Actonians?". Actonians WFC. 21 August 2025. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  28. ^ "Claudia Cholakian relished Armenian experience". National Premier Leagues NSW. 20 April 2022.
  29. ^ "Claudia Cholakian - Soccer player profile and career statistics". globalsportsachive.com.
  30. ^ Cholakian, Claudia (25 January 2023). "Claudia Cholakian- LinkedIn"
  31. ^ "Sydney Olympic Football Club is excited to announce the signing of former Manly United FC attacking midfielder Brendan Cholakian for the 2021 season". Sydney Olympic FC. 27 October 2020. – via Facebook